Aviation News

Joe Sambiase Joe Sambiase has been named the General Aviation Manufacturers’ Association’s manager of airworthiness and maintenance. He was formerly with Compass Airlines.

Greg Vail Greg Vail has been named chairman of the Aircraft Electronics Association. Vail has 29 years of experience in the industry and is the general manager of Bloomington Avionics. Greg Harpster of Duncan Avionics is the new vice chair.

Christian Gras Christian Gras is Eurocopter’s new Executive Vice President, Customers. He was Senior Vice President for Latin America.

Randy Groom Randy Groom, a former senior executive with Hawker Beechcraft, has been named Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Support for Piper. Groom had been running his own consulting business before joining Piper.

Larry D. Roberts Larry D. Roberts has been appointed Bell Helicopter’s senior vice president of commercial business. He was previously at American Eurocopter as VP of sales, marketing and customer support.

Brad Hayden Brad Hayden has been named vice president of marketing for Aspen Avionics. Hayden has been with the company almost since its inception and has extensive experience in Web-based marketing.

Dennis van de Laar has been named the National Air Transportation Association’s manager of regulatory affairs. He was previously at the Southern Illinois Airport Authority as a graduate assistant while completing his master’s degree in public administration.

Woody Saland Woody Saland, formerly Dassault Falcon’s manager of technical programs, is now the manager of technical programs and pilot operations and training. He’s been with Dassault for five years.

Scott Neal Scott Neal Brian Miller Brian Miller Jim Dobbins Jim Dobbins Scott Neal Brian Miller Jim Dobbins Gulfstream Aerospace has named Scott Neal vice president of sales for the Central division, Brian Miller the VP for the Western division, and Jim Dobbins VP for the Eastern division. All are long-time Gulfstream executives.

Michelle Peterson, AOPA’s vice president of products and services, has added marketing to her portfolio and has been promoted to vice president of marketing. Peterson has been with AOPA since 2000.